Summers mean walking among the dense forests, fishing in gold-medal trout streams, and taking in views of the cathedral peaks of the Canadian Rockies. More than 1,000 miles of trails provide a full range of hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities. Three downhill ski resorts lie within park boundaries, and two of them—Sunshine Village and Lake Louise—rank among Canada's best ski areas.

The town of Banff is the park's hub and launching the pad for almost every activity. Its landmark hotel, the Fairmont Banff Springs, lends grandeur to the place, continuing to lure royalty and celebrities as it has for more than a century. Banff's main street beckons with more than 200 shops selling everything from hand-knit sweaters to designer fashions, fossils to fudge. Art galleries and museums provide some culture, not to mention a smattering of good bars that get a little wild at night. Just don't get too comfortable in town: There's much to see and do out in the wilderness.